While most lighting designs use a standard light bulb, there is not a lot of versatility with this option. If you want to get creative with your lighting design and have endless customization opportunities, choose LED strip lights. 

LED strips lights are extremely flexible when it comes to applications, as you can create multiple lighting designs with these luminaries. Whether you want to illuminate certain aesthetics of a room or create ambient lighting, LED strips lights are incredibly flexible. 

These luminaries also come with LED technology, so you can enjoy high-quality lighting without high energy bills. If you want to learn more about these lights, here is everything you need to know about LED strip lights Ireland. 

What Is LED Strip Lighting?

When it comes to LEDs, you might be familiar with the standard bulb; however, due to innovative lighting technology, you can now strip lighting with an LED component. 

Instead of having a tube or socket, LED lighting strips are made from a band material that contains an entire row of small LED bulbs. These light strips often come with adhesive backing features, which makes installment much easier. 

You can add LED light strips on the ceiling, wall, around furniture, or any flat surface that works with the adhesive backing. However, it is important to note that not all LED light strips come with adhesive backing, so make sure to check the packaging for this feature. 

Some LED strip lighting also comes with a handheld remote control that allows you to switch the light on/off from anywhere in the room. Additionally, these luminaries are known to provide a wide range of light colours, so you can customize your lighting design according to your preference.  

What Are LED Lights?

LED lights are the most innovative light bulbs on the market as they use energy efficiently and have a long lifespan compared to other traditional lighting devices. LED stands for light emitting diode, and these modern luminaries have largely replaced all other forms of lighting as the ideal choice for consumers. 

LED lights are incredibly versatile as they work well in domestic, commercial, and industrial properties. Due to this quality, you can find LED lights in various configurations to fit your lighting needs.

For domestic and household purposes, LED lights to come with a standard base fixture similar to other bulbs These bulbs also come in a linear fluorescent lamp or strip light format, which is commonly used in the workplace and industrial settings. 

The structural component plays a key role in a light’s efficiency, and an LED bulb is no different. Due to their physical makeup, LED lights are far more efficient than other light bulbs, especially incandescent ones. 

LED light has a robust light bulb structure that is highly energy-efficient. When these LED bulbs were first created, they were produced with a single-bulb structure. Early LED light bulbs were used in electronics, instrument panels, pen lights, and more. 

One of the major features of early LED light bulbs is that the light emission is directional. This makes LEDs different from incandescent light bulbs as they spread light in a spherical direction. This type of lighting direction works well with recessed lighting or under cabinet lighting fixtures; however, directional lighting may not be suitable for table lamps. 

Modern LED light bulbs are created to address directional light limitations. These newer LED lights use a diffuser lens and a reflector to distribute illumination in multiple directions, similar to an incandescent light bulb. 

How Do LED Lights Work?

At the core of LED lights is their ability to use energy more efficiently than any other lamp on the market. These energy saving luminaries direct their entire energy consumption towards light production, unlike traditional light bulbs that waste this energy through heat emissions. 

The semiconductor in LED lights converts all electricity into light energy and does not harm the mechanical components in the process. Incandescent light bulbs waste most of their energy in the form of heat emissions which significantly reduces the lifespan of your bulb. However, you don’t have to worry about this issue with LED lights. 

The heat sink component effectively breaks down any emissions from the LED chip to maintain the bulb’s long lifespan. Due to this modern process, LED lights do not consume a lot of electricity. 

Since LED lights are considered energy efficient, the wattage is not an accurate representation of the bulb’s performance. Instead, it is important to look at the lumen output. 

The lumen output refers to the level of illumination produced by the light bulb. With this measurement in mind, consumers should compare and contrast the lumen output to select the best LED light.

Why Are LED Lights Important?

LED luminaries lights are a great investment as they last long without raising energy bills. Rising energy prices have also led to many consumers forgoing their energy intensive lamps. Energy efficient lights play a key role in energy saving areas. 

Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are responsible for high energy consumption due to lighting. These traditional light bulbs not only waste energy but also produce a lot of heat which damages the light bulb and requires frequent replacements. 

Once you install LED lighting, you might not see a lot of savings immediately; however, you will experience a major reduction in your energy bills after some time. 

What Are The Different Types Of Strip Lights?

When it comes to choosing the perfect LED strip light, there are several varieties to choose from. Each of these strip lights works for a different type of application; therefore, it is important to make the right choice. 

Standard LED Strip Light

The most common type of strip lights is the standard version in the shape of a long strip of light bulbs. The size of this strip can vary depending on your lighting needs. These luminaries are designed with a single adhesive back that allows you to stick the light on any flat surface. 

On the other side of the strip are the LED chip and bulbs. There is a lot of flexibility with this strip light as your can bend and contour it to create your perfect lighting design. 

Since these lights often don’t have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, they are commonly used in covered areas such as alcoves, under cabinet areas, around appliances, etc. 

One significant downside of these lights is that they only work well on flat surfaces, which means they won’t work well on textured areas. However, you can find specialised LED strip lights with a stronger adhesive that can work on multiple surface areas. 

LED Rope Lights

Even though these luminaries look very similar to a standard strip light, they are slightly different in how they are designed. LED rope lights do not have an adhesive backing, and they are encased in a flexible PVC rope structure that allows better handling of the light. 

You can twist and turn these luminaries to create your ideal design. Unlike standard strips, these lights also work well outdoors, especially with trees, hedges, etc., to create an illumination display. 

In addition, these lights have a much stronger illumination than strip lighting, so you can easily highlight various objects. However, if you want more subtle illumination, the standard strip is a better option. 

LED Flex Strip Lights

If you are looking for a light that combines the properties of a standard strip and rope light, then an LED flex strip light is your best option. These luminaries look just like a standard strip as they are also designed to be stuck down on a surface. 

Similar to the standard version, flex strip lights also have an adhesive backing that sticks to a flat surface. However, in these luminaries, the LEDs are not visible once you switch off the light. 

This makes them a better lighting option if you want strip lighting that is more aesthetically pleasing. You can install flex strip lighting in visible spaces without ruining your interior however, unlike rope lighting, these luminaries might not be suitable for outdoor usage. 

How To Choose The Best LED Strip Lights?

As mentioned before, there are several varieties of LED strip lights to choose from. Once you have decided on the type of strip light you want, there are specific characteristics you must look for when purchasing these luminaries. 

Not all LED strips lights are designed the same as some come with multiple features while others have limited use options. Here are some important factors to consider when purchasing LED strip lights. 

White Or RGB LED Strip Lights

One of the best things about LED strip lighting is that there are several colour combinations to choose from. With these luminaries, you can create a custom design to suit your lighting needs. 

White LED Strip Lights

White LED strip lights provide a plain white illumination; however, you can choose between the type of white shade. These luminaries provide a broad spectrum of shades ranging from warm white to cool white. 

Warm white LED strip lights are ideal if you want to create a cozy environment in your bedroom or living room. Cool white strip lights have a sharper illumination that is perfect for the kitchen, working space, or garage. 

The determine your ideal shade of white LED strip, look for the Kelvin rating on the packaging. This rating measures the warmth or coolness of the LED light - the higher the rating, the cooler the LED light. 

The lower the number, the warmer the LED light. Cool white LED lights usually have a colour temperature of around 6000K, while warm white lights measure around 3000K. One important factor to remember is that not all strip lights provide a similar colour. 

Low quality strip lights often provide an inaccurate colour temperature that is far more likely to deteriorate after some time. Therefore, you must look for high-quality LED strip lights that provide excellent illumination for a long time. 

RGB LED Strip Lights

If you want something more than just plain white lighting, you should opt for RGB LED strip lights. These luminaries are designed with three different LED chips that give off red, green, and blue lights. 

RGB strip lights combine these three colour at various shades and brightness levels to recreate almost every colour possible. So whether you want to create purple lighting or a soft blue illumination, you can achieve these results with RGB LED strip lights. 

Even though luminaries provide white lighting, the shade of these is not as pure as the one available with white strip lighting. Therefore, if you mainly want white lighting, it is best to opt for the standard coloured LED strip light. RGB strip lights are a great option for those who want to get creative with their lighting design. 

You can choose a specific colour to create mood lighting or create various aesthetic designs. All strip lighting comes with a remote control that allows you to change the colour whenever you want. These remotes also come with a strobe or fade effect that allows you to create stunning visuals with your strip lighting.

Consider The Brightness Of The LED Strip Lights

The next important factor you must consider when purchasing strip lighting is the brightness of the luminaire. If you purchase low quality LED light strips, they might not be as bright. These lights often give off a faint glow that does not illuminate your space properly; therefore, it is important to consider this factor when purchasing your LED strip lighting.  

On the other hand, extremely bright LED lights might not be ideal for your application as well. More subdued illumination might be ideal if you want to install these luminaries in a hidden area, such as an alcove. So, if you want the best possible brightness, consider the illumination output alongside the application area to make the right choice. 

Since you will be purchasing LED lighting, avoid looking at the wattage to determine the strength of the strip light. With these luminaries, you must look at the lumen output instead, as it is a much more accurate measurement of the brightness level. 

Additionally, the lumen measurement for LED strip lighting is different than the measurement for a standard LED bulb. In this lighting, the individual lumen of the single strip bulb is not relevant to the overall brightness of the light. Therefore, look for the combined lumen output for an accurate representation. 

The general measurement for strip lighting is either lumens per foot or lumens per metre. Consider a strip light with a 1500 lumen per metre measurement for excellent LED brightness. 

Consider The Density Of LEDs Per Strip

Another method of measuring the quality of strip lights is by looking at the density of LEDs per strip. The density refers to the number of diodes per meter of the strip. This measurement impacts the brightness level of the LED strip. 

Not all LED strip lights have the same number of bulbs which is why this is something you must consider. In general, the higher the LED density, the brighter the illumination from the light. Furthermore, the illumination from higher density LED strip lights is much more uniform and even. 

Standard LED strip lights often have a density of 30 bulbs per metre. LED strips with a higher density tend to have 60 or 120 bulbs per metre however, you can get strip lights with an even higher density.   

The Size Of The LED Chips

One great way of measuring the strength of an LED strip light is by checking the size of the LED chips. Most LED strip lights are manufactured with a four digit code. These include 5050, 3528, and 2835. 

These numbers describe the size of the chip and are a great way of understanding its brightness. 5050 LED light strips have chips spaced 5mm by 5mm, while 3528 chips are spaced 3.5mm wide and 2.8mm tall. 

The 2835 LED chips reverse these measurements. According to these measurements, you can tell that 3528 LED strip lights are less power intensive than the 5050 version; however, these lights are also not as bright. 

The most innovative LED light stips use the 2835 measurements, and there are far more efficient as well. The main reason these light strips are much better is because of the orientation of the LED chips. The LED chips in the 2835 strips are rotated and much larger than the previous versions, which means they are more bright. 

In addition, 2835 LED strip lights are more efficient because they have a built-in heat sink which removes any heat emission away from the diodes to maintain the lifespan of your light. The heat sink also stabalises the illumination level of your LED light strip. 

The innovative chips on the 2835 light strip provide light from almost the entire surface of the fixture, and this makes them much brighter than previous iterations of the LED strip light. However, the only downside of these lights is that they are more expensive. Despite the high price point, the newer LED strip lights are long-lasting and far more efficient than any other strip light. 

Consider Waterproof LED Strip Lights

Since most applications of LED strip lights are indoors, you don’t have to look for IP rated models. However, if you want to install these luminaries outdoors or in an area that is prone to hazards, it is recommended that you consider IP rated options. 

Make sure to look for an LED strip light rated IP65 or higher, as this will ensure your lights do not get affected by snow, rain, dust, or other weather conditions. 

How To Connect LED Strip Lights To A Power Source?

Once you find your ideal strip light, you will need to connect it to a power source. There were several different ways to connect these to a power source. Most LED strip lights are compatible with three common connectors. 

In addition to this, there are two more connectors on the power supply that works with the strip light. Therefore, depending on the power supply connector and the LED strip light connector, there are six potential combinations to connect them to a power source. 

None of these combinations are complicated to carry out; however, some might require an additional mechanism. 

If your LED strip lights have a DC power receptacle and your energy supply has a DC connector plug, you can simply combine these two together to start using your lights. For other combinations, you can check the provided instructions in the packaging or consult an electrician before installation. 

How To Install LED Strip Lights?

Now that you know what LED strip lights are and how to choose the best one, here are some simple steps you can follow to install these luminaries.

• Measure the strip light before you begin. Make sure to use a tape measure to determine how long a strip light you need. It is important that you carry out this step beforehand, so you know what to look for. 
• Once you have purchased the strip light, it will come in the form of a reel. Unwind the length of the strip light according to your needs. Once you have the desired length of the strip, you can trim it along the line allocated on the strip. It is better to cut the line before installation as it gives a cleaner look. 
• Thoroughly clean and dry the area where you wish to install the light strip. Make sure that there is no dust present that would affect the LED’s heat dissipation. Also, a damp surface would make it difficult for the adhesive strip to lie on the surface. 
• Next, you must remove the adhesive backing from one side of the light strips and press it firmly on the surface. It is recommended that you don’t remove the entire adhesive strip altogether, as this will make installation more complicated, particularly if you have a longer LED light strip. Doing so would lead to an uneven installation or make it difficult for the light to adhere to the surface. The best way to install these lights is by sectioning off the peeling and sticking process. Also, make sure to avoid any air bubbles during this part. If your LED strip lights don’t have an adhesive backing, you can purchase double-sided tape specially designed for strip lighting. If you are using this method, apply the tape to the surface first and then position the strip lights. 
• Once you have carefully positioned your LED strip lights, you should connect the strip to a nearby power supply. When the connection is done, you can start using your lights. 
• If you want to test your LED strip lights before you start using them, only install a small section of the light in your desired area. Afterward, you can switch these lights on either manually or with a remote control to make sure they are working properly.   

The Best LED Strip Lights Ireland

If you are looking for high-quality strip lighting with excellent performance, visit Meteor Electrical. At Meteor, you can browse through some of the best LED strip lights available on the market. 

These luminaries are perfect for any kind of application; whether you want something for a domestic property or want to light up your outdoors, Meteor has something to fit every consumer’s needs. For some of the best LED strip lights Ireland, visit Meteor now.